A digital camera takes interleaved photographs of two different kinds. In
one example embodiment, the first kind of photograph is taken using a
first set of pixels of the camera's electronic array light sensor and has
a short exposure time. The second kind of photograph is taken using a
second set of pixels and has a long exposure time. More than one of the
short-exposure-time photographs is taken while each long-exposure-time
photograph is exposed. The two kinds of photographs are used for
different purposes. For example, one kind may be used for performing
automatic focusing while the other kind is used for displaying in a live
view display. In this way, live view may continue while automatic
focusing is performed. In another embodiment, one kind of photograph is
used for providing a live view display, and the other is used in
selecting exposure settings for a final photograph.